Antenucci penalty earns Leeds United another draw

Tony Harber

For the second time in three days Leeds United came from behind with a second half penalty to earn a draw as they came home from Bolton with the same result they achieved at Fulham on Wednesday.

Again United had enough chances and the better of the play, but had to settle for a point to give Steve Evans two points from his two games as head coach,

Mirco Antenucci this time put away a spot kick after winning it himself when running clean through after Shola Ameobi had scored for Bolton just past the half-hour,

Leeds were probably grateful for a draw in the end after trailing at half-time, but only the woodwork prevented them from ending their run without a win, which now stands at five matches.

They went into the game with an unchanged starting line-up, although with Jordan Botaka ill, there was a place for Souleymane Doukara on the bench.

Both sides found it hard to create chances initially before Darren Pratley sent a header over for the bottom of the table hosts.

United’s first chance came when Luke Murphy’s corner was headed on at the near post by Liam Cooper and Tom Adeyemi met the ball only to see his effort hit the post.

Liam Feeney was just wide with a low shot for Bolton before Stuart Dallas saw his shot deflected wide at the other end after a Murphy corner had fallen into his path.

The home team went ahead, however on 32 minutes when an error from keeper Marco Silvestri led to the concession of a corner from which Bolton netted as Ameobi fired home from close range.

Ameobi put Feeney through on goal shortly after, but Silvestri made amends when he got down well to save.

Leeds regrouped and ended the half on top only for Chris Wood to spurn a great chance when his effort was blocked by home keeper Ben Amos.

United boss Evans sent on Alex Mowatt for Murphy for the start of the second half and they began well, Antenucci hitting the side netting after a good run.

Adeyemi was then denied by the woodwork a second time after the ball was touched onto the post by the outstretched fingers of Amos. The ball came back to Wood, but he could not divert the ball on target.

Leeds did make it 1-1 on 71 minutes in a mad minute that started with Silvestri saving well from Stephen Dobbie. United made an immediate break and Antenucci went through only to be tripped inside the area by Prince-Desire Gouano.

A penalty was the result with the Bolton player also being sent off by referee Simon Hooper as he was the last man. Although Wood had scored from the spot in midweek, Antenucci picked up the ball this time and confidently scored.

With an extra man this was Leeds’ big chance, but they failed to cash in, creating no further chances, although they had another penalty shout when Adeyemi’s shot hit a home player’s hand.